Ipad

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple gave the new iPad a bunch of new features but no new name. When it goes on sale next week in the U.S. and several other countries, it will be "the iPad" or perhaps "the new iPad" -- not "iPad 3" or "iPad HD," as some had speculated. The lack of a new name could cause confusion for buyers, particularly since the older model, the "iPad 2," will still be sold. The new iPad unveiled Wednesday has, as expected, a sharper screen, driven by a faster processing chip that acts as the "brains" of the device.

Q. I'm planning a vacation to Naples, Italy, in the near future and would like to use my Apple iPad 2 while I'm there. Is this possible? Do I need any special instructions? A. Your iPad will work just as it always has. The question is how you'll connect to the Internet. The easiest way to use an iPad 2 in Italy is to find Wi-Fi hot spots, which are plentiful in hotels and public places. Many are free. If you want to be assured of having a Wi-Fi signal anywhere, you can rent an Italian cellular firm's MiFi device, which attaches to the local cellular network, then connects to your iPad via Wi-Fi.

Q. I have an original iPad, and I love it. Is there a reason to upgrade to the iPad 2? A. Apple has made improvements with the iPad 2. However, if you're happy with your original iPad, I would stick with that. The iPad 2 has a faster processor and graphics system. Plus it now has two digital cameras, a front-facing one and a rear-facing one. That's good for high-end games and video chatting. However, the iPad 2 doesn't offer much else new beyond that. The screen and storage are the same, for example.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Apple Inc. gave fans the mini-moment they had been waiting for Tuesday by introducing a smaller iPad to the world, but the company surprised the technology community by also updating the standard iPad with a fourth-generation iteration just seven months after its last update. The smaller device will officially be called the iPad Mini and cost $329 and up, pricey when compared with popular 7-inch tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7, which start at $199. The iPad Mini will have a screen slightly smaller than 8 inches -- the original iPad has a screen just under 10 inches -- while having the same resolution of the larger version.

Apple Inc. kicked off sales of its new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad tablets by moving 3 million units, combined, in the first weekend. The company did not break out separate sales numbers for the two products. Counting them together, the Cupertino, Calif., company said it sold twice as many iPads as it did when it launched the third-generation iPad in March, its previous first-weekend record for tablets. "Customers around the world love the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad," said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- If you want to own the latest iteration of Apple Inc.'s popular iPad tablet computer on the first day it's available, prepare to wait at an Apple Store -- if you haven't already ordered one online. The Cupertino, Calif., tech giant confirmed over the weekend that it has run out of iPads available for pre-order on the Internet, with a message on Apple's online store telling customers that it will be two to three weeks before an iPad will arrive. "Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for preorder has been purchased," Apple told USA Today.

Q. My daughter, who is hearing-impaired, has been told that she can text from an iPad. Is this possible? My daughter also wants to take the iPad outside her building, which doesn't have Wi-Fi, and somehow still get on the Internet. What would she need to do this? A. Any iPad using the current iOS 6 operating system, or the previous iOS 5, can send text messages using Apple's iMessage function. But text messages can be sent only between Apple devices, so your daughter could only text people who have an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Macintosh computer using a newer operating system.

Q. I want to buy an iPad, but I see there are a bunch of different models. Which one is right for me? How much storage do I need? A. The big decision you have to make is whether you want an iPad with Retina display, iPad Mini or iPad 2. I would pick the Mini if you want a one-handed gadget that's great for gaming or browsing. Pick the Retina display iPad if you want to watch movies, since it has the best screen. If you just want a cheap, quality tablet, stick with the iPad 2. As for storage, the smaller 16 gigabyte version should be enough for most people.

Readers to the rescue! Several readers say there's a better solution for the mother of a hearing-impaired daughter who wants to text friends via an Apple iPad. I pointed out in last week's column that, while iPad texting is feasible, it's limited to sending text messages to other Apple devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Macintosh computer. Cletus Willems, of Edina, Minn.; Aaron Heagerty, of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and others suggested that the mother, Maurine Dyrdahl, of Mounds View, Minn., should instead bypass pure text-messaging in favor of a free hybrid solution that involves e-mail and texting.

NEW YORK - Those who follow Apple believe they have figured out most of the particulars of a smaller iPad expected to be revealed today. One big question remains, though: What will it cost? Apple hasn't said anything about the device, but the veil of secrecy it throws over unreleased products has been a see-through affair this year. Most of the details of the iPhone 5 were known well in advance of its launch a month ago. In the case of the "iPad Mini" (the real name is not known)

Q. I scan all of my medical documents. How can I organize them so I can find the information I want? A. You've actually got a lot of options. Since scanned documents are usually just images, many photo editors and organizers will work. You want one that handles tagging. This allows you to put in information about a scan, like what procedures it covers, and then search for them later. Look into programs like digiKam or XnView. Those support lots of different files and can share them easily if you have to send your records to someone.

Readers to the rescue! Several readers say there's a better solution for the mother of a hearing-impaired daughter who wants to text friends via an Apple iPad. I pointed out in last week's column that, while iPad texting is feasible, it's limited to sending text messages to other Apple devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Macintosh computer. Cletus Willems, of Edina, Minn.; Aaron Heagerty, of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and others suggested that the mother, Maurine Dyrdahl, of Mounds View, Minn., should instead bypass pure text-messaging in favor of a free hybrid solution that involves e-mail and texting.

Q. My daughter, who is hearing-impaired, has been told that she can text from an iPad. Is this possible? My daughter also wants to take the iPad outside her building, which doesn't have Wi-Fi, and somehow still get on the Internet. What would she need to do this? A. Any iPad using the current iOS 6 operating system, or the previous iOS 5, can send text messages using Apple's iMessage function. But text messages can be sent only between Apple devices, so your daughter could only text people who have an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Macintosh computer using a newer operating system.

Our Sony TV keeps pausing during movies and TV shows we stream from Netflix. The icon on the screen says "loading" and the little wheel image keeps spinning. These pauses are annoying. Is there a way to download the show and then watch it in entirety? No. Netflix movies are for streaming only. Your problem is probably caused by the speed of your Internet connection. You share Comcast's network with other customers, so your speeds will be a little slower during peak evening viewing hours.

Q. I'm planning a vacation to Naples, Italy, in the near future and would like to use my Apple iPad 2 while I'm there. Is this possible? Do I need any special instructions? A. Your iPad will work just as it always has. The question is how you'll connect to the Internet. The easiest way to use an iPad 2 in Italy is to find Wi-Fi hot spots, which are plentiful in hotels and public places. Many are free. If you want to be assured of having a Wi-Fi signal anywhere, you can rent an Italian cellular firm's MiFi device, which attaches to the local cellular network, then connects to your iPad via Wi-Fi.

SOUTH BEND - The South Bend Common Council launched a Facebook page Thursday and announced an effort to conduct official city business on iPads instead of paper as a way to save money and better communicate with the public. The Facebook page ("South Bend City Council") is intended as another tool to communicate with the public, council President Derek Dieter, D-at large, said at a news conference Thursday at the County-City Building downtown. "I think we'll be able to reach thousands of people in South Bend," Dieter said, "and get them updated information.

LOS ANGELES -- As we ring in the new year, let's raise a virtual glass to all the tech that is yet to come. We're hoping for waterproof gadgets, bendable smartphones, a closer look at Google Inc.'s revamped Nexus Q TV box, and -- God willing -- a new way to watch television that involves just one remote. Here's our list of the technology we can't wait to obsess over, write about and try out in 2013. 1. IEverything: We already know Apple Inc. will come out with new versions of all its mobile devices, as it always does, but that doesn't make the announcements any less exciting.

Q. I want to buy an iPad, but I see there are a bunch of different models. Which one is right for me? How much storage do I need? A. The big decision you have to make is whether you want an iPad with Retina display, iPad Mini or iPad 2. I would pick the Mini if you want a one-handed gadget that's great for gaming or browsing. Pick the Retina display iPad if you want to watch movies, since it has the best screen. If you just want a cheap, quality tablet, stick with the iPad 2. As for storage, the smaller 16 gigabyte version should be enough for most people.

Apple Inc. kicked off sales of its new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad tablets by moving 3 million units, combined, in the first weekend. The company did not break out separate sales numbers for the two products. Counting them together, the Cupertino, Calif., company said it sold twice as many iPads as it did when it launched the third-generation iPad in March, its previous first-weekend record for tablets. "Customers around the world love the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad," said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Apple Inc. gave fans the mini-moment they had been waiting for Tuesday by introducing a smaller iPad to the world, but the company surprised the technology community by also updating the standard iPad with a fourth-generation iteration just seven months after its last update. The smaller device will officially be called the iPad Mini and cost $329 and up, pricey when compared with popular 7-inch tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7, which start at $199. The iPad Mini will have a screen slightly smaller than 8 inches -- the original iPad has a screen just under 10 inches -- while having the same resolution of the larger version.